Question for Nikon DSLR users
 

Hey guys,

I'm looking to get a midrange lens for my Nikon D80. Currently I have the kit lens 18-55mm, and telephoto 55-200mm VR, but I hate switching between the two just to get a good shot when the situation changes. Plus, I carry around the extra 55-200mm lens (or vice versa) in the bag which takes up a lot of space.

So I was looking at the Nikon (Nikkor) 18-105mm VR lens as a midrange lens that still has enough zoom capability.

What do you guys think of the 18-105mm VR lens? The 18-135mm has no VR feature (VR = Vibration Reduction, which is handy when zoomed in to minimize blurring) and the 18-200mm VR is way too expensive (even when buying used). I already have the 55-200mm as I mentioned so that covers longer range if needed.

What do you guys think? Any reviews from those who have used this kind of lens? I prefer Nikkor but willing to look at other brands (Sigma, etc). Thanks!

You could also just carry a second camera body with the other lens to avoid switching; that's normally what I do with my film cameras ( I don't like zooms with film). I just use my digital nikon with a single short zoom because it's "good enough" for what I do with that camera. I never paid attention to the VR, but I always carry a monopod.

I have a lens from a retiring professional photographer that seems to be called an asipherical if 28-200. That is the best lens I have owned. It will focus at 18 inches and in low light... I don't know what they cost. I traded a custom made pen that I made for it...

There are plenty of older non-VR lenses that will work with your D80 that should be within your price range. Ken Rockwell's site is pretty cool for Nikkor lens "window shopping"

With my D100 body, I use a Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 ED AF-S which I think has been discontinued. It's a heavy lens, and I paid about $1000 two years ago, with an older Nikkor 80-200 f/4 manual focus zoom.

Check out this lens, it made the top ten best list on Rockwell's site:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28200g.htm

Under $300 at Adorama, used.

There's a good compatibility guide there, as well. Have fun!

Here's a good review of the 18-105 DX lens.

It sounds like a good deal for the money but, I don't have one myself. I have an 18-200 VR.

I would find the barrel distortion at the short end unacceptable; of course that's why I don't like wide angle zooms in general. I have a DX 18-55mm, but I don't think it's that bad at the short end. But lets face it, these are cheap lenses that are really just designed for convenient "point and shoot" type applications. I would break out some real glass for anything critical.

Thanks Bill. The 18-200mm would be ideal, except it's way more than my budget. That was a good review, seems like the 18-105mm has barrel distortion and vignetting at 18mm. Not that picky when it comes to those things, but the feel and build quality (made of plastic part of the review) might be a downside for me. The 18-55 and 55-200 are great lenses.

Great advice Stimpy. I will look around Ken Rockwell's site for a while and do my homework. Why is the 28-70mm very expensive?